Week 2 - Zermatt.

Sunday 12 August, our first full day in Zermatt, dawned overcast but the forecast was good so we again stuck to Plan A.We walked 5mins from the apartment to the Sunnegga Alpine Metro which whisked us quickly to Sunnegga at 2300m. From here we followed the Five Lakes Trail to Fluahalp. This gave some very good views of the iconic Matterhorn which completely dominates Zermatt and always draws the eye. From Fluhalp it was upwards to climb the Oberrothorn, which at 3414m was the highest we'd climbed so far. It was hard work on the hot and dusty trail but the ever opening views made it worthwhile. The view across to Monte Rosa, Castor, Pollux and the Briethorn especially drew my eye as they are 4000m peaks I climbed in 1999 whilst staying in Zermatt. We had some food and drink on the summit before heading down to Sunnegga via a more direct route. This took us down a valley that was 'full' of Marmots. Another superb mountain day.

You can't stop looking at the Matterhorn.

One of the Five Lakes and that mountain.

Climbing Oberrothorn (3414m).

Susan on the summit first.

Having a rest on the summit.

Susan enjoying herself on the descent.

The sky was perfectly clear on Monday morning as we caught the Matterhorn Railway to Gornergrat. After some quick photos around the top station we escaped the Japanese tourists and headed off for the Gornergrat Glacier to check out the route across it to the new Monte Rosa Hut. This was a great walk with superb views of the Matterhorn and the Briethorn - Monte Rosa Chain. The glacier is clearly melting rapidly and to get down to it a 3 stage ladder and bridge have been put in place. Once we'd dropped down to the ice we had a look at the glacier we'd have to cross to get to the hut. It looked like crampons would be needed so we decided not to continue. Susan shot up the ladders first and at the top we had a break taking in the stunning view of glaciers and mountains. The walk back to Rotenboden was easy and gave more stunning views - especially of the Rifflehorn which I'd climbed in 1999. After a sunbathe near the station we caught the train back to Zermatt very happy with our easy day in the mountains.

Susan enjoying the view - Castor, Pollux and the Briethorn.

Liskam to the Briethorn,

On the trail down to the glacier.

Waiting for 'the ladders to clear' on the descent to the glacier.

Heading back to the ladders.

Susan 'shooting up' the ladders.

Enjoying the mountains.

Susan does her 'Bolt'.

Approaching the Rifflehorn.

Yet another fantastic mountain day on Tuesday in the shadow of the Matterhorn. We took the cable car from Zermatt to Schwarzsee and then headed up to the famous Hornli Hut on the Matterhorn's Hornli Ridge. The close up views of this amazing peak where incredible and after two hours of steady plodding we reached the hut. We climbed beyond it and watched climbers ascending and descending the ridge. Our original plan was to descend via the same route but on reaching a path junction we decided to follow the Matterhorn Glacial Trail to Trockener Steg. This path gave more great views and was well worth the extra effort. From Trockener Steg we took the cable car down to Zermatt to save our knees for 3 more days of walking.

The lake at Schwarzsee - stunning.

On the trail to the Hornli Hut.

Looking at the very foreshortened Hornli Ridge - 'could I do it?'

The Hornli Hut where climbers spend the night before heading for the summit.

Camping is also available near the hut .....

.... but it's not much of a site.

Susan at our high point on the ridge - it gets a bit steeper here.

Dropping back to the hut.

Cloud closing in behind us.

The Hornli Ridge in profile - the hut lies below the final steepening.

On the Matterhorn Glacier Trail.

We had more great weather and another superb day on Wednesday. We left Zermatt on foot and climbed up the Trift Gorge to the Hotel du Trift. The next stage was stunning as, after a steep climb to Hohbalem, it followed a tremendous belvedere along and then down to Arben. The views of the Matterhorn's north face were especially good. From Arben it was down the Zmutt valley firstly to Zmutt for a lemonade and then Zermatt for an ice cream to round off a great route.

Climbing up the Trift Gorge.

Hotel du Trift.

Climbing above the Hotel du Trift.

The mountains above Trift.

Taking a wee rest.

Stunning views of the Matterhorn.

The 'North Face'.

Waterfall and Matterhorn.

Approaching Zmutt.

A change in the weather on Thursday brought cloud and rain in the morning so we had a wander around the town and then lunch. By 1pm the sun was back so we went for a 7km stroll through the villages of Zmutt, where we had a beer, Zum See and Blatten. The timber chalets and barns in these are amazing and it was a very pleasant afternoon.

Approaching Zmutt.

Looking back at Zmutt.

Walking into Zum See.

Amazing timber buildings.

Friday was our last full day in Zermatt and it was another 'cracker'. We took the cable car up to Furi and then followed the Gletschergatenweg up towards Riffleberg before branching off to Rotenboden. The views were superb in all directions and the trail always interesting. From Rotenboden we descended to Riffleberg where we had a beer, to celebrate 2 excellent weeks in the Swiss Alps, before catching the train back to Zermatt.

Crossing a suspension bridge above Furi.

On the trail to Rotenboden.

The view west.

The view down to Zermatt.

The amazing Matterhorn - the Queen of Zermatt.

You just can't stop looking at that mountain ....

.... again ....

.... and again .....

.... and again.

Saturday was another stunning day in Zermatt but unfortunately we had to pack and leave for home. We caught a train to Visp and then another to Geneva Airport where we had a long wait for our flight back to Edinburgh. We'd had a fantastic holiday - helped greatly by some fantastic weather - and were planning next years trip before we even got home. Susan is keen to climb her first 4000m peak, maybe the Briethorn, and we both want to do the Schwarzhorn, above Grindlewald, again but via the Via Ferrata route. Fingers crossed for 2013.

Outside our superb Zermatt apartment.